Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Board of Trustees met Nov. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Jim Peck called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

Upon a call of the roll, the following members were physically present: Mayor Jim Peck, Trustee Lauren Young, Trustee Bob Gruenewald, Trustee Marilyn Johnson, Trustee Dave Wendt, Trustee Jeremy Shaw (late), Trustee Jeff London

Staff Present:

Village Administrator Jill Applebee, Works Director Darin Fowler, Village Attorney Lisa Petrilli, Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart, Village Engineer Jeremy Buening

Staff Absent: Village Clerk Cheryl Marty

Others Present: Melanie Weigel, residents Jim Johnson, Diana Vargas, Dan Curley, Ashley Higar, Bill Krueger, Mark Kuhn, BJ Flock

Administrator Applebee read a letter from a Maroa-Forsyth parent of a student who had a choking incident and was very appreciative of the help her child received from all of the school staff.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 17, 2023

2. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS

MOTION

Trustee Gruenewald made a Motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and Trustee Johnson seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 5 – Young, Gruenewald, Johnson, Wendt, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT: At this time, the public has the opportunity to express views or make comments to the Mayor and Board of Trustees on agenda items or any other Village issue. Comments must be limited to not more than three (3) minutes.

ADMINISTRATION REPORTS

1. Law Enforcement Report

The Sheriff Deputy had little to report with the exception of a paraglider crash on Hickory Point Road. Also, additional deputies will be added during the holiday retail season to limit theft.

2. Village Staff Reports

Mayor Peck reported that on December 2 the Salvation Army will begin bell ringing and are having a Mayor’s challenge amongst local mayors at Hobby Lobby. He asked for Board participation on that day to ring bells for an hour. The Mayor then asked Village Engineer Buening regarding the bid of U.S. Route 51 project and Buening responded that the goal is to start in the spring. Mayor Peck then asked Village Attorney Petrilli regarding the status of the Phillips pipeline cleanup project. He recommended that she contact the Macon County Board Chairman to speed communication. Mayor Peck also noted that the Grayhawk project will be completed before the end of the year versus in the spring of 2024. He confirmed the new park bids will be out in the next week or two.

OLD BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-30 AN ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES FOR ALL CORPORATE PURPOSES FOR THE VILLAGE OF FORSYTH, MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2023, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023 (VILLAGE TREASURER RHONDA STEWART)

Village Treasurer Rhonda Stewart explained the details of the tax levy ordinance. The tax rate has not been raised in more than 10-12 years.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Ordinance as presented and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 5 – Young, Gruenewald, Johnson, Wendt, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-34 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING LEASE OF A PORTION OF REAL PROPERTY WITH PIN 07-07-15-229-008 (VILLAGE ATTORNEY LISA PETRILLI)

Village Attorney Petrilli explained the details of the Ordinance approving a 20-year lease for a portion of our property to Rise Broadband for a concrete pad and cabinet enclosed by a fence. The Village will receive rent for that use. A brief discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Johnson made a Motion to approve the Rise Broadband contract as presented and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 5 – Young, Gruenewald, Johnson, Wendt, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared carried.

3. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-31 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE VILLAGE CODE TO ALLOW GOLF CARS AND OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES ON VILLAGE STREETS (VILLAGE ATTORNEY LISA PETRILLI)

Village Attorney Petrilli presented a summary of the changes to the golf cart rules. Trustee London brought up the topic of car seat belts usage in this situation and Attorney Petrilli responded to the law application to these types of motorized vehicles. A discussion ensued. Administrator Applebee will develop a user-friendly rule book and map for residents’ usage and confirmed Village office staff has developed the necessary permitting tracking reports. Village Attorney Petrilli confirmed that a non-Forsyth resident may obtain a Village golf permit.

MOTION

Trustee London made a Motion to approve the Ordinance for golf cart rules as presented and Trustee Johnson seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 5 – Young, Gruenewald, Johnson, Wendt, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 1 – Absent

Motion declared carried.

NEW BUSINESS

1. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-35 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A VARIANCE TO PERMIT FREE STANDING SOLAR PANELS AT MAROA FORSYTH CUSTD #2 LOCATED AT 642 E. SHAFER, FORSYTH, ILLINOIS (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee introduced the variance request to permit free standing solar panels at Maroa-Forsyth grade school grounds. Ameresco representatives and school officials introduced themselves and summarized their needs for this request. Board members had numerous questions for school officials regarding the economics of the project, amount of energy generated, security concerns, detrimental visual effects on nearby homes, location decision, reaction of local developers, funding choices, and other elements of the decision.

A lengthy discussion ensued by Board members.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Ordinance as presented and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 0 – None

Nays: 5 – Young, Gruenewald, Johnson, Wendt, London

Abstain: 1 – Shaw

Motion declared failed.

2. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-36 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING PURCHASE OF ADDITIONAL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that there was a curbing structure issue on Jacob’s Way so the equipment did not fit that space. The decision was made to flip flop the equipment to different parks hence the need for the additional swing set at the cost of $7,479.15. Trustee Gruenewald again questioned the higher expense. A lengthy Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the purchase of the playground swing as presented and Trustee Young seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 5 – Young, Johnson, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 1 – Gruenewald

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

3. ORDINANCE NUMBER 2023-37 AN ORDINANCE APPOINTING MELANIE WEIGEL AS LIBRARY DIRECTOR (ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained the interview process, the number of candidates interviewed and said the decision was to hire Melanie Weigel. She was present and Administrator Applebee introduced her to the Board along with the reasons she was chosen over other candidates. Melanie Weigel spoke briefly about her enthusiasm for the job challenges and leading the library into the future once she begins on December 11.

MOTION

Trustee Young made a Motion to approve the Ordinance as presented and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Young, Gruenewald, Johnson, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

4. RESOLUTION NUMBER 18-2023 A RESOLUTION APPROVING ALL SERVICE CONTRACTING CORP. BID FOR WATER TREATMENT PLANT CLARICONE AND FILTER MAINTENANCE PROJECT (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)

Public Works Director Fowler detailed the immediate need for the water treatment plant maintenance project. He recommended a contract be awarded to All Service Contracting Corp. in the amount of $553,794 to implement these repairs. The work will be done this winter. A lengthy discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the Ordinance as presented and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Young, Gruenewald, Johnson, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

5. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING WELL 7 CHANGE ORDER 1 (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)

Public Works Director Fowler explained the change order covers the cost of obtaining an additional set of raw water samples from the constructed well for testing. He then stated that contingency funds remain to cover this work and that Chastain and Associates supports the need for this additional cost. A Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Shaw made a Motion to approve the Ordinance as presented and Trustee Wendt seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Young, Gruenewald, Johnson, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

6. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING WELL 7 CHANGE ORDER 2 (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DARIN FOWLER)

Public Works Director Fowler explained the details of the change order that covers the cost of adding conduit to allow door alarms to be added in the near future. He stated that Chastain and Associates supports the need for this additional cost. A short Board discussion ensued.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve Change Order 2 as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Young, Gruenewald, Johnson, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

7. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING REPAIR OF POWER LINE FOR WELL 3 (PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR FOWLER)

Public Works Director Fowler said that while performing a mandated and routine sampling at Well 3 it was discovered that there was no power being fed to the wellhouse. He continued to share details of the discovery and impact. Public Works Director Fowler recommended approval of the Closs Electric Company quote of $16,279.00. The Board had several questions to which he replied.

MOTION

Trustee Shaw made a Motion to approve the repair of the power line for Well 3 as presented and Trustee Gruenewald seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Young, Gruenewald, Johnson, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

8. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING APPOINTMENT OF PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSIONERS (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Administrator Applebee explained that the terms were expiring for two Planning and Zoning Commissioners, Cathy Mitteer and Steve Ragan. Both have expressed interest in returning to the Board. The new terms will expire in 2028.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the appointment of the Planning and Zoning commissioners as presented and Trustee Shaw seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Young, Gruenewald, Johnson, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

9. DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING APPOINTMENT OF LAURA REIMER TO LIBRARY COMMISSION (VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR JILL APPLEBEE)

Mayor Peck shared that the Library Commission spoke highly of Laura Reimer and her enthusiasm for being involved with the Forsyth Public Library and he also highly recommends her for the position.

MOTION

Trustee Shaw made a Motion to approve the appointment of Laura Reimer to the Library Commission as presented and Trustee Johnson seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Young, Gruenewald, Johnson, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to move to Closed Session and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Young, Gruenewald, Johnson, Wendt, Shaw, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

CLOSED SESSION: Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1): The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee, a specific individual who serves as an independent contractor in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or a volunteer of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.

5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6): The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body. 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21): Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06.

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM CLOSED SESSION MOTION

Trustee Wendt made a Motion to approve the closed minutes of September 19, 2023 and Trustee London seconded the Motion.

Upon a call of the roll, the vote was as follows:

Yeas: 6 – Young, Johnson, Wendt, Shaw, Gruenewald, London

Nays: 0 – None

Absent: 0 – None

Motion declared carried.

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Wendt made the Motion to adjourn and Trustee Young seconded the Motion. All Board members agreed by voice vote, and the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M.

https://forsyth-il.gov/vertical/sites/%7B18717005-44FD-438D-B0BC-B86101984F4F%7D/uploads/External_Meeting_Packet(68).pdf